The Galapagos Islands

Well we did make it on Monday, with about 20 gallons of fuel left. Near the end the wind finally did shift in our favor so we sailed the last 10 miles into the harbor (just in case). So here we are at anchor at the Island of Santa Cruz in Academy Bay. This bay is the center for all boating and tours in the Galapagos Islands. There are probably about 30-40 large tour boats located here. You can go on hiking trips, dives, snorkeling trips, live aboard dive boats etc.

There is a lot to do as there are about 14 islands that comprise the Gal apagos Islands, which is a part of Ecuador. The population is about 15,000. The little town here is really nice and I guess not really that little. It takes about 45 minutes to walk around the main part. There are all kinds of dive shops, tour agents, restraunts and boutiques. The people are very friendly and prices reasonable. I had lunch the other day and had chicken breast, rice, and plantains for $3.00 and juice to drink.

So far we have primarily just been walking around town or riding our bikes. On Saturday I visited the Santa Cruz Wildlife Reserve and saw my first very large tortoises. They were awesome. I must have seen about 15-20 of them. They also raise them here.

Way back when the sailors would stop here and put a number of them on board, because they liked the sweet meat. In addition they would stay alive for months with no food (slowly starving). Talk about a bad deal. They almost went extinct and on one Island/Species they did.

Tomorrow I am going on a Kabota Dragon hunt. You ride tortoises and shoot spear guns. The tortoises are slow and the dragons fast which give them the advantage. So if you think that deer hunting with a bow is great or Turkey hunting wait till I report back on this. NOT

Anyways next week we are planning a couple of dives. One with hammerhead sharks and another one with seals, rays, eagle rays and the like. In addition I am going on a 2 night, 3 day land excursion on another island to see more wild life. I can’t wait to report back on the diving and excursion. So until next week stay well and be good.